Danny Ainge laughs off rumors

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WASHINGTON - For what it’s worth, Danny Ainge seemed genuinely perplexed yesterday at further reports the Celtics are trying to trade Ray Allen.

The general manager laughed at a couple of the rumors and was trying to understand how some that have been knocked down from both sides continue to get play.

Ainge repeatedly has put off questions about the coming offseason and how much change there could be in the C’s roster, but he was pointed with regard to the current campaign.

“Let me just put it this way: We’re doing everything we can to win a championship now,” Ainge said. “We’re not going to do anything that might hurt our chances of winning.

“There’s no question we need to play better, but we’re not going to panic.”

There is no question the Celtics players don’t seem as sure of themselves after squandering leads in recent losses to good teams, but they are quick to point out they haven’t had their full rotation together this season.

Barring any further injuries, that could be accomplished if, as the Celts hope, Marquis Daniels makes it back next week from left thumb surgery.

With the trade deadline Feb. 18, the Celts still are checking out the marketplace to see what might become available. They do have an available roster spot and are seeing if anyone of value gets bought out or placed on the trading block.

According to one opposing general manager who has spoken with the Celts recently, “I’m pretty sure they’re going to be looking at a lot of things in the summer, but for now Danny doesn’t want to do anything that doesn’t make them better right away.”

Pierce forced to sit

Paul Pierce tried to play through an early left foot injury, but by the last quarter he was resting on the pine as the Celts closed out a 99-88 win against the Wizards. He suffered the injury in the first quarter and came out with 2:01 left.

“It just rolled over when Caron (Butler) landed on it,” he said. “I think I’ve got a mild foot sprain. I’ll check it out (today), get an X-ray.”

Pierce finished the night with 12 points in 28 minutes, but it didn’t help that he had a hard collision with Butler at the end of the first half, banging knees.

“I thought we were playing football for a minute,” he cracked.

Coach Doc Rivers eventually decided to pull Pierce late in the third quarter.

“I just didn’t want him to take a chance,” Rivers said. “I shouldn’t have even played him in the second half, in my opinion. I think I messed that one up. He wasn’t playing bad; I just don’t think he was moving well enough. And why take a chance? That’s the way I looked at it. It’s nothing bad, but I just sat him.”

He’s got a shot

Former Boston College star - and perhaps budding reporter - Jared Dudley of the Suns tweeted yesterday that he’s heard Pierce will be in the NBA’s 3-point shootout on All-Star Saturday in Dallas.

Pierce said last night he’s received no official word from the league, but he’s made no secret that he wants to participate.

Said one Celts type, “He’s (third in) the league in 3-point shooting and he’s on the All-Star team, so it kind of makes sense.”

One Celtics All-Star issue was solved with Sunday’s loss to the Lakers. That clinched a quick break for Rivers, who was in line to head the Eastern Conference.

Stan Van Gundy got the job when the Magic beat Detroit Sunday night. Had Orlando lost, Atlanta’s coaching staff would have gone. (Cleveland had the best record in the East, but Mike Brown couldn’t go in consecutive years.)

Rivers plans to spend the time in Orlando with his family. He will head to Florida after the Celts play in New Orleans next Wednesday and rejoin the team for practice in Sacramento the following Monday.

“That is vacation for me,” Rivers said. “I’m just going home, so that’s good. Very good.”